On March 22, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America officiated the Divine Liturgy for the Sunday of St. John Climacus at St. Sophia Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
Celebrating alongside His Eminence were Fr. Steven Zorzos, St. Sophia’s presiding priest; Fr. Gregory Gatanas, St. Sophia’s assistant priest; Fr. Michael Lambakis, Interim President of Hellenic College Holy Cross; and Fr. William Bartz.
In his homily, Archbishop Elpidophoros reflected on the legacy of St. John Climacus, or St. John of the Ladder.
“There are many remarkable things about this Saint … But you should know, that throughout the Orthodox World – in all the monasteries, the book that he wrote as a favor – this book called, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is read every year through the Forty Days of Lent,” His Eminence said. “What is it that we recognize in this text, written so very long ago? In such a specific place, with specific circumstances, and intended for a very small private audience?”
“The genius of author, the holy Abbot John of Sinai, is that he, very precisely and in great detail, untangles the delicate and thorny problems of the spiritual life. If you pick up this book, and read just a few phrases, you immediately recognize its spiritual, and even psychological power,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said. “This is because the instructions in the Book come from both experience and love.”
Photos by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
